Little by little political lineups are starting to shape up in Cebu city and province as the Oct. 1-5 filing deadline of certificates of candidacies gets closer. In the 1st district, Rep. Eduardo Gullas has joined the Liberal Party, easing out some original party members like San Fernando Mayor Abe Canoy.

In the 2nd district, the same thing happened. The original LP member and congressional bet Cora Lou Kintanar had to give way to Provincial Board Member Wilfredo Caminero. In Cebu City, Congressman Tommy Osmeña of the south district has eased out Mayor Mike Rama, an LP member.

I think the same arrangement is happening across the country. In Cagayan de Oro City an Aquino loyalist was eased out of the election contest in favor of someone else.

It’s the weirdest political arrangement. Liberal Party loyalists were shoved aside in favor of newcomers or even those who did not support Aquino in 2010.

But we must remember that Aquino doesn’t head the Liberal Party but Mar Roxas. These political arrangements have some color of the practice of traditional politician who wants to align himself to all politicians in our country.

I received information that Sen. Bongbong Marcos is now an ally of the Liberal Party. Can you imagine President Noynoy Aquino standing with Marcos on the same stage? Many are disappointed with this development which is contrary the president’s espousing “Ang Daang Matuwid”.

Many are hoping that the president can influence Mar Roxas especially in choosing which candidates to give the Liberal Party nomination certificates to. The Liberal Party could end up like the LDP or the Lakas NUCD which were virtually abandoned by party members when it was no longer in power.

Many were hoping that the Liberal Party would take a different route from traditional political parties but apparently it is just showing itself to be like the others, that rely on personalities and not on a party platform or principles.

It is disheartening to see a political party with a lot of hope for change fall into the quagmire of “trapo” practices. It is still the politics of survival and accommodation that reigns in the Liberal Party, which is unfortunate because it failed to usher in a new breed of politics.

For those who may have been eased out in favor of those who have not worked for the Liberal Party, I suggest they move on. It won’t be easy but you have to seek your place in the political battle next year. Other parties are more than willing to accept you in their fold.

I know that some aspirants may not like to join other political parties because of their opposing views and principles, or they may have ill feelings against some of the party leaders.

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The case of ivory smuggling in the Philippines or in Cebu should be looked into seriously because it is a violation of law. It is just unfortunate that it has involved a very well respected and loved priest, Msgr. Cris Garcia.

From what I read of the article “Ivory Worship” in the National Geographic magazine, he gave startling revelations about how to acquire religious icons made of ivory.

In the interview, Garcia told the NatGeo writer Bryan Christy how to procure an ivory image of the Sto. Niño and smuggle it into the US.

Christy asked how? Garcia reportedly advised “to wrap it in old, stinky underwear and pour ketchup on it so that it looks shitty with blood”. The writer said Garcia gave the names of his favorite ivory carvers in Manila.

I hope that Garcia can explain his side of the story because the conversation is indeed very damaging. The Church should give Garcia due process and allow him to explain his side in this controversy.

It is just unfortunate that the child abuse case in the US involving Garcia has resurfaced. You can search on the Internet about prelates facing charges for various offenses and you will find the name of Monsignor Cris Garcia. I just hope that Garcia whom I was told is sick can find his peace amidst the recent controversy.

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